The latest Guardian Essential poll shows opposition leader Angus Taylor's approval rating has crashed, while One Nation's primary vote has plateaued. The survey of 1,060 voters also reveals widespread dissatisfaction with Labor's handling of inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Taylor's approval plummets
Taylor's net approval fell to minus-12, down from minus-1 in June. His approval dropped three points to 33%, while disapproval rose seven points to 45%. The decline was sharpest among men (down 16 points) and voters aged 35-54 (down 20 points).
One Nation vote levels off
One Nation's primary vote stands at 25%, down one point from June and three points from May's high of 28%. The party's support has returned to April levels amid scrutiny over Pauline Hanson's European trip and comments on domestic violence and immigration.
Labor's economic handling rejected
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's approval ticked up one point to minus-14, with 52% disapproving. A decisive 64% rated the government's performance on inflation and cost of living as poor, while only 16% rated it good. Nearly 80% of voters said cost of living was among the most important issues.
Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis said: "Cost of living remains the stand-out issue for voters and the government’s handling of inflation is being rated down."
Mixed views on other issues
On Medicare and health, 39% rated Labor's performance as good and 30% poor. On crime, 22% good and 50% poor. On immigration, 24% good and 50% poor. On technology and AI, 29% good and 30% poor.
Reluctance on AI datacentres
Only 28% of voters would support a new datacentre in their area, with 37% against. Concerns included energy demand and power prices (61%), water supply (44%), environmental impacts and noise (41%), and general AI growth (39%). Albanese recently announced plans to regulate datacentres and AI more strongly.
